Adjustable chain stopper

ABSTRACT

An improved chain stopper that will eliminate the need for using a devil&#39;&#39;s claw, pelican hook, or other device for properly holding a vessel&#39;&#39;s anchor in stowed position or for measuring tension in a vessel&#39;&#39;s anchor chain when it is riding at anchor. A pawl on the chain stopper is carried by a frame which is adjustable to bring the pawl into position immediately adjacent to one of the chain links to hold the chain.

Q United States Patent [151 3,638,599 Nilsen Feb. 1, 1972 [54]ADJUSTABLE CHAIN STOPPER 1,226,731 5/1917 Wheeler ..l14/200 [72]Inventor: Harold E. Nilsen, 1425 Homestead Ave., Primary Examiner AndmwFarrell Metame' 70005 AttorneySandoe, Hopgood & Calimafde [22] Filed:July 25, 1969 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 844886 An improved chain stopperthat will eliminate the need for using a devils claw, pelican hook, orother device for properly 52 us. Cl ..114/200 holding a vessels anchorin stowed P measun'ng [51 1 hm Cl 1363b 21/18 tension in a vesselsanchor chain when it is riding at anchor. A [58] Field of 1 14/200 pawlon the chain stopper is carried by a frame which is adjustable to bringthe pawl into position immediately adjagem to one of the chain links tohold the chain.

[56] References Cited 11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures UNlTED STATES PATENTS311,573 2/1885 Emery ..1 14/200 PATENTED FEB 1 1972 SHEET 2 [IF 2INVENTOR AM-W BY M, x

ATTORNEYS ADJUSTABLE CHAIN STOPPER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The anchorof a vessel is pulled up by its windlass into its hawse pipe or catlingframe until it is stowed reasonably snug against the shell or pocket onthe vessel. The chain stopper is then positioned on its adjustable baseso that the pawl can be engaged. After the pawl has been engaged, thechain stopper is then slid inboard on its adjustable base until theanchor is properly stowed.

Normally, when a vessel is at anchor, the chain stopper will be slid toits most outboard position against a positive stop to eliminateunnecessary strain on screws, hydraulics, or other means to adjust thesliding chain stopper. However, this stopper can also be used for ananchor-chain-tension-measuring device by permitting the stopper not toslide to its outboard position by installing a pressure gauge on ahydraulic system, or a strain gauge when other mechanical instrumentsare used for moving the chain stopper.

By using the chain stopper of this invention, the load can always betaken off the windlass so that there will not be any brake freezing upand resulting delaying in the anchoring of the vessel. Also for work ormaintaining of the windlass, this device is excellent for holding theanchor snug.

If installed with the slide longer than one chain link, it can be usedfor pulling in the chain.

Maintenance is far less on the desk as there are not any marks fordevils claw, pelican hook, or other devices. Safety is maximized asthere are no chains or other devices falling on or becoming entangledwith someone.

The invention may also include a locking pin if the owner so desires forpreventing the pawl from being raised out of engagement with the anchorchain; and this locking pin must be deliberately removed before theanchor chain can move in a direction to lower the anchor.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear orbe pointed out as the description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing, forming a part hereof,in which like reference characters indicate corresponding parts in allthe views:

FIG. I is an assembly view showing the improved chain stopper of thisinvention attached to the deck of a vessel and showing its relation tothe hawse pipe and windlass;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view, partly broken away, of a modificationof the chain stopper shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the chain stopper shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view, partly broken away and in section, showingthe detailed construction of the chain stopper shown in FIG. I, the viewbeing taken from the other side of the chain stopper;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail elevation, partly in section, of the chainstopper shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the construction shown in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. I shows a deck I0 ofa shipwhich has a hawse pipe 12 through which an anchor chain 14 is pulled toraise the anchor. The chain 14 passes from the hawse pipe 12 through achain stopper 16 to a windlass 18. The construction of the windlass isconventional and no further illustration of it is necessary for acomplete understanding of this invention.

The chain stopper 16 includes a frame 22. The frame 22 is supported by abase 24 rigidly secured to a foundation 26 welded or otherwisepermanently secured to the deck with an orientation that holds the frame22 in line with the anchor chain I4 as it passes from thehawsc pipe 12to the windlass I8.

The construction of the frame 22 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The frame 22has a chain support 30 with a slot 32. There are shoulders 34 located onboth sides ofthe slot 32. As the chain passes over the support 30,alternate links of the chain rest on the shoulders 34. These links maybe referred to as horizontally extending links and they are designatedin the drawing by the reference character 36.

The links 36 are connected by intervening links 38 which may be referredto as vertically extending links. These references to orientation referto the planes of the links, and all of the links, when considered withrespect to their length, extend at a slight slope to the horizontal,i.e., in the direction of movement of the chain, as shown clearly inFIG. I.

The frame 22 has generally parallel parts 40 and 42 extending upwardlyfrom opposite sides of the chain support 30 and preferably of one-piececonstruction with the chain support. There is a pawl 44 (FIG. 6)connected between the upwardly extending parts 40 and 42 by a pin 46which extends through bearings 48 to provide a pivot connection for thepawl 44 to the frame 22. The pawl 44 has a lower end 50 which rests onhorizontally extending links 36 and which has its midportion shaped toengage the end of the next vertically extending link 38 to hold thechain against movement, in the direction of its length, across the chainsupport 30. Preferably the midportion of the lower end 50 contacts withthe end of a vertical link 38 along an arc that reaches a level morethan half way down the height of the link 38.

When the pawl 44 is in its chain-locking position, as shown in FIG. 6,the pawl extends at an acute angle to the vertical and it is preventedfrom swinging downward by contact with the horizontally extending link36 which rests on the chain support 30. A locking pin 54 is insertedthrough openings 56 in the upwardly extending parts of the frame 22 tohold the pawl 44 down in contact with the chain 14.

In order to have the frame 22 in a position that will cause the pawl 44to fall into a position immediately adjacent to a chain link 38, whenthe anchor reaches fully raised position, the frame 22 is moved alongthe base 24 in whatever direction will bring the pawl 44 into alink-engaging position. This movement is effected by either hydraulicmotor operated or manually operated mechanism, and FIGS. 2, 3, 7 and 8show manually operated mechanism for moving the frame 22.

The base 24 has channels 60 at opposite sides of the base with the opensides of the channels confronting one another. Flanges 62 at the lowerends of the frame 22 extend into the channels 60, the channels servingas tracks along which the flanges 62 slide. Since the channels 60 extendvertically along the outer surfaces of the flanges 62, and also extendinward across the top of the flanges 62, these channels 60 hold theframe 22 against horizontal transverse displacement and also againsttipping over. Running clearance for the flanges 62 in the channels 60 iscontrolled by bearing plates 64, which may be brass orpolytetrafluoroethylene, attached to the channels 60 by screws 66 orother suitable fastening means, or attached to the flanges in positionsto bear against the upper and lower surfaces of the channels 60. Thebearing plates 64 are replaced when they become worn.

Lugs 70 (FIGS. 7 and 8) extend upwardly from the base 24 at both sidesof the base. Other lugs 72 extend outward from the frame 22 at bothsides of the frame and constitute a stop for holding the frame 22against movement along the channels or tracks 60, especially movement inthe direction that would permit the chain to move in a direction tolower the anchor. Lead screws 74 thread into the lugs 72 and extend intothe lugs 70 in which there are thrust bearings for preventing axialmovement of the lead screws 74 with respect to the lugs 70.

The lead screws 74 also extend through bearings in lugs 76 attached tothe base 24. Rotation of the lead screws 74 causes the lugs 72 toadvance along the lead screws 74 as nuts on the screws and this movementshifts the frame 22 lengthwise along the base 24.

The lead screws 74 can be rotated by power means but in the illustratedconstruction, they are rotated by wrenches 80 and in order to rotate thelead screws on both sides uniformly and at the same time, gears 82 onthe lead screws 74 rotate other gears 84 which turn sprockets 86connected together by a chain 88.

FIGS. 4 and show a construction similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 but with adifferent mechanism for moving the frame along the base. Correspondingparts in FIGS. 4 and S are indicated by the same reference characters asin FIGS. 7 and 8 but with a prime appended. Cylinder-and-pistonhydraulic motors 90 are connected to opposite sides of a frame 22'. Inthe construction illustrated, a cylinder 92 of each motor is secured tothe frame 22' and a piston rod 94 is secured to a lug 96 on a base 24.This construction can be reversed.

The cylinders 92 are double acting and working fluid is supplied toopposite sides of the cylinders through tubing 98 with the supply andexhaust of the working fluid controlled by a manually operated slidevalve 99. The slide valve 99 can be moved into a locking position inwhich it blocks flow of working fluid, preferably hydraulic fluid, toand from both ends of the cylinder 92. The frame 22' can thus be lockedin any adjusted position along the base 24'. Shutoff valves 100 in thetubing 98 can be closed to keep hydraulic fluid from escaping and tothus lock the motor piston and the frame 22 or 22' from moving. A gaugecommunicating with one end of the cylinder 92 indicates the pull of thechain which is a function of the hydraulic pressure in the head end ofthe cylinder 92.

When the anchor is to be lowered, the chain 14 is held tightly by thewindlass and the frame 22 or 22 is moved enough to shift the pawl awayfrom the adjacent chain link far enough to permit the pawl 44 to swingcounterclockwise in FIG. 6, the pin 54 having been previously removed.The pawl 44 can be moved angularly about the pin 46 until the pawlreaches the position shown in dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 6. In

this position, the pawl 44 is supported by a rest stop 102 ex-:

tending across the width of the frame 22 between the 'upwardly extendingparts of the frame.

For convenience in shifting the pawl 44 into different positions, ahandle 104 is attached to the pawl at a location above the chain 14 andfar enough above the chain so that a crewman does not have his hand incontact with the chain when moving the pawl 44 about its pivotconnection 46, or a handle 105 on the pin 46 can be used.

After the pawl 44 has been lifted out of the path of the chain 14, theanchor can be lowered.

The preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed and the invention is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. In a chain stopper having a frame with a guide in the lower partthereof across which an anchor chain passes, the guide having a slotinto which one side of alternate links extend while the other links reston supporting shoulders of the guide at both sides of the slot, a pawlpivotally connected with the frame above the chain support, the pawlbeing movable on its pivot connection with the frame into a positionclear of the chain or into a position to engage a link of the chain atan acute angle to the direction of movement of the chain for preventingmovement of the chain in a direction to lower the anchor, theimprovement which comprises a base for permanent connection with a fixedpart of the ship, a track on the base along which the frame moves in thedirection of movement of the chain, a positive stop that preventsmovement of the frame along the track in the direction'in which thechain moves to lower the anchor, and means for adjusting the stop andthe resulting position of the frame along the track to bring the pawl toa location immediately adjacent to an end portion of a link when thechain stops with the anchor in its fully raised position.

2. The chain stopper described in claim 1 characterized by the means foradjusting the stop on the base having one end connected with the baseand the other end connected with the sto J? The chain stopper describedin claim 2 characterized by the stop and means for adjusting it being acylinder-and-piston motor connected between the frame and base, oneconnection being with the piston rod of the motor and the otherconnection being with the cylinder of the motor.

4. The chain stopper described in claim 3 characterized b the stop andmeans for adjusting the stop including two double-actingcylinder-and-piston motors, one on each side of the frame and each ofthe motors having a piston rod extending from a corresponding endthereof, a pivot connection joining the cylinder of each of the motorswith the base and pivot connection joining the piston rod of each of themotors to the frame, valve means for selectively supplying working fluidto one end of each of the cylinders while exhausting working fluid fromthe other end thereof, and an actuator for moving the valve means intodifferent positions for reversing the operation of the motors.

5. The chain stopper described in claim 2 characterized by the means foradjusting the stop including an actuator and mechanism operated by theactuator for giving the actuator a mechanical advantage gaining forcefor moving the stop with respect to the base.

6. The chain stopper described in claim 5 characterized by the actuatorbeing a manually operated handle and the mechanism being a lead screwrotated by the handle and threaded means connected to the frame.

7. The chain stopper described in claim 6 characterized by the threadedmeans being a nut connected with each side of the frame, there being twolead screws, one on each side of the frame, and bearings carried by thebase and in which the lead screws rotate, the bearings including thrustbearings for preventing axial movement of the screws with respect to thebase.

8. The chain stopper described in claim I characterized by the trackincluding channels at opposite sides of the base, the channels havingopen sides that confront one another at a level below the surface of thechain support across which the chain passes for engagement by the pawl,and the frame having flanges projecting from opposite sides thereof intothe channels of the base for guiding the frame along the channels andfor preventing tipping of the frame by holding both sides thereofagainst vertical movement, said channels being open at one end forinserting the flanges of the frame into the channels.

9. The chain stopper described in claim 8 characterized by replaceablebearing plates in the channels for carrying the weight of the frame andfor controlling the width of the running clearance in the channels forthe flanges of the frame,

10. The chain stopper described in claim 1 characterized by the pawlbeing angularly movable about its pivot connection with the frame toshift the center of gravity of the pawl to the side of the axis of thepivotal connection of the pawl opposite the side on which the pawlengages the chain, a rest stop for holding the pawl when so shifted, ahandle by which the pawl is moved angularly about its pivot axis, and apin which extends through openings in the frame just above a part of thepawl when the pawl is in chain-engaging position to prevent the pawlfrom moving angularly out of engagement with the chain, said pin beingmovable out of the path of the pawl when free movement of the pawl isdesired.

11. The chain stopper described in claim 1 characterized by the frameand the guide and support for the chain being of one-piece constructionand the frame having two spaced and substantially parallel partsextending upwardly from the chain support, the pivot being locatedbetween the spaced parts of the frame, and the pivot connection of thepawl being a pin that extends through the parallel parts of the frameand across the space between said parallel parts.

1. In a chain stopper having a frame with a guide in the lower partthereof across which an anchor chain passes, the guide having a slotinto which one side of alternate links extend while the other links reston supporting shoulders of the guide at both sides of the slot, a pawlpivotally connected with the frame above the chain support, the pawlbeing movable on its pivot connection with the frame into a positionclear of the chain or Into a position to engage a link of the chain atan acute angle to the direction of movement of the chain for preventingmovement of the chain in a direction to lower the anchor, theimprovement which comprises a base for permanent connection with a fixedpart of the ship, a track on the base along which the frame moves in thedirection of movement of the chain, a positive stop that preventsmovement of the frame along the track in the direction in which thechain moves to lower the anchor, and means for adjusting the stop andthe resulting position of the frame along the track to bring the pawl toa location immediately adjacent to an end portion of a link when thechain stops with the anchor in its fully raised position.
 2. The chainstopper described in claim 1 characterized by the means for adjustingthe stop on the base having one end connected with the base and theother end connected with the stop.
 3. The chain stopper described inclaim 2 characterized by the stop and means for adjusting it being acylinder-and-piston motor connected between the frame and base, oneconnection being with the piston rod of the motor and the otherconnection being with the cylinder of the motor.
 4. The chain stopperdescribed in claim 3 characterized by the stop and means for adjustingthe stop including two double-acting cylinder-and-piston motors, one oneach side of the frame and each of the motors having a piston rodextending from a corresponding end thereof, a pivot connection joiningthe cylinder of each of the motors with the base and pivot connectionjoining the piston rod of each of the motors to the frame, valve meansfor selectively supplying working fluid to one end of each of thecylinders while exhausting working fluid from the other end thereof, andan actuator for moving the valve means into different positions forreversing the operation of the motors.
 5. The chain stopper described inclaim 2 characterized by the means for adjusting the stop including anactuator and mechanism operated by the actuator for giving the actuatora mechanical advantage gaining force for moving the stop with respect tothe base.
 6. The chain stopper described in claim 5 characterized by theactuator being a manually operated handle and the mechanism being a leadscrew rotated by the handle and threaded means connected to the frame.7. The chain stopper described in claim 6 characterized by the threadedmeans being a nut connected with each side of the frame, there being twolead screws, one on each side of the frame, and bearings carried by thebase and in which the lead screws rotate, the bearings including thrustbearings for preventing axial movement of the screws with respect to thebase.
 8. The chain stopper described in claim 1 characterized by thetrack including channels at opposite sides of the base, the channelshaving open sides that confront one another at a level below the surfaceof the chain support across which the chain passes for engagement by thepawl, and the frame having flanges projecting from opposite sidesthereof into the channels of the base for guiding the frame along thechannels and for preventing tipping of the frame by holding both sidesthereof against vertical movement, said channels being open at one endfor inserting the flanges of the frame into the channels.
 9. The chainstopper described in claim 8 characterized by replaceable bearing platesin the channels for carrying the weight of the frame and for controllingthe width of the running clearance in the channels for the flanges ofthe frame.
 10. The chain stopper described in claim 1 characterized bythe pawl being angularly movable about its pivot connection with theframe to shift the center of gravity of the pawl to the side of the axisof the pivotal connection of the pawl opposite the side on which thepawl engages the chain, a rest stop for holding the pawl when soshifted, a handle by which the pawl is moved angularly about its pivotaxis, and a pin which extendS through openings in the frame just above apart of the pawl when the pawl is in chain-engaging position to preventthe pawl from moving angularly out of engagement with the chain, saidpin being movable out of the path of the pawl when free movement of thepawl is desired.
 11. The chain stopper described in claim 1characterized by the frame and the guide and support for the chain beingof one-piece construction and the frame having two spaced andsubstantially parallel parts extending upwardly from the chain support,the pivot being located between the spaced parts of the frame, and thepivot connection of the pawl being a pin that extends through theparallel parts of the frame and across the space between said parallelparts.